The Etesian Duo
Alan Berquist and Arturo Rodriguez
July 23 at 1 p.m.
The Etesian Duo, flutists Alan Berquist and Arturo Rodriguez, will be joined by cellist Erik Urbina, pianist Pal Caccamo and Michael Steadman on harp in a concert at the Piedmont Center for the Arts this Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door.
The Etesian Duo was formed in 2015 to explore the large varieties of music written for two flutes. The dominant weather influences in the Mediterranean Sea, the Etesians (derived from the Greek word for “year”), are legendary winds that have occurred since ancient times every May to September. The highly unpredictable force of these summer winds creates an exciting drama that the duo conveys through music.
Berquist and Rodriguez will be performing at the 2016 National Flute Association Convention in San Diego in August.
Alan Berquist, flute
A native of Antioch, Alan Berquist earned his Bachelors in Music from Florida State University, a Masters in Music from the University of Wisconsin, and a post-graduate Certificate in Advanced Flute Studies from Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teachers have included master classes by former principal of the New York Philharmonic Jeanne Baxtresser. He has competed in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and Plowman Chamber Music Competition. He was Associate Program Chair for the 2004 National Flute Association Convention and performer at the 2009 convention.
He has performed in concerts and conventions across the globe. He worked in New York City for nine years as a staff member for American Ballet Theatre, Second Flute of the Astoria Symphony, and Principal Flute of the Brooklyn Wind Symphony. He is currently a member of the Oakland-based Awesöme Orchestra Collective. He also performs on piano.
Arturo Rodriguez, flute
Aside from being accomplished as a flutist, San Francisco musician Arturo Rodriguez also plays the cello, piano and oboe. He attended the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific, where he received his Bachelors in Music Performance.
He has performed outside the U.S. in Australia, Greece and Panama. Arturo frequently performs in the Bay Area with various ensembles. In the Bay Area he
performs with the Awesöme Orchestra Collective, Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, and Diablo Symphony. A composer, he also teaches the next generation of flutists. His firm attention to detail and keen sense of musical style allows Arturo to be an exciting artist to see and listen to.
Erik Urbina, cello
Originally from Stockton, Erik Urbina graduated from the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific. He is a freelance musician and teaches from Stockton to
Pleasanton. An accomplished musician, he has performed as a soloist with the Motherlode Symphony Orchestra. He will be a soloist with the Valley Community Orchestra this coming fall.
Michael Steadman, harp
Michael Steadman is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Interlochen Arts Academy. He is an active freelancer with 15 years experience as a professional harpist, performing at events throughout the Bay Area.
Paul Caccamo, piano
Paul Caccamo is active as an accompanist, vocal coach, chamber musician, conductor, orchestral pianist, and recording artist. He received a Master of Music degree in PianoAccompanying and Chamber Music from the Eastman School of Music.
Over the past 25 years he has played all over the world as a solo and collaborative pianist, presenting recitals with singers and instrumentalists Bay Area choral groups and opera companies. He currently serves as Associate Music Director and pianist for WomenSing and accompanies the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus.